CARTERSVILLE BASEBALL
C
STATE
CHAMPIONS
2001
2002
2003
2008
2009
STATE
RUNNER UP
2004
REGION
CHAMPIONS
1963
1971
1973
1982
1983
1986
1989
1993
1996
1997
1998
2000
2002
2003
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Head COACH
STUART
CHESTER
SUPERINTENDANT
Dr. HOWARD HINESLEY
PRINCIPAL
JAY FLOYD
ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR
Dr. Katherine Bradley
***Canes named baseball 'Team of the Decade' by the Georgia Dugout Club***
by David Royal The Daily Tribune News
Stuart Chester has been around enough not to be easily impressed.
But even Chester found himself grappling for the right words Wednesday when school athletic director Katherine Bradley and a large contingent of the Cartersville community honored the baseball program he spearheads for its recognition by the Georgia Dugout Club as the state's "Team of the Decade."
Finally Chester quoted Donavan Tate, a former player who had texted his sentiments to the school baseball coach prior to the special program held at the Cartersville High media center.
"'This is freaking awesome,'" he said, quoting Tate but largely expressing his own sentiments about the honor bestowed on Cartersville.
Just prior to expressing that sentiment, in keeping with the spirit of levity and camaraderie that echoed throughout the center, Chester jokingly informed Cartersville High principal Jay Floyd that if the words violated any school rules, "I'll serve my time in detention."
Chester went on to recognize the Cartersville community's support of the school's baseball program and said the players on those teams during the decade and the Cartersville coaches who worked with the youngsters all those years are the biggest reasons for the success.
"This recognition isn't about me," Chester said. "It's about all the people who made this program a success. I've been blessed and have just been fortunate to have been at the head of the program when all this occurred."
The coach gave credit for the program's success to the players on the team before it won a state championship.
He said those players were determined to put in whatever effort was needed to play the season's very last game -- the state championship -- before hanging up their jersey for the season.
He said that hard work laid the foundation upon which the state titles eventually rested.
Chester also credited the talent on those teams, noting that six former Purple Hurricanes were named to the Dugout Club's team of the decade.
Those first-team members include Matt Hightower, Will Startup, Josh Morris, Lyle Allen, Russ Mitchell and Donavan Tate.
Benji Farr was named to the Dugout Club's second-team all decade, Ronnie Brown to the third-team all decade and Scott Hendrix, Taylor Hightower and Ben Bridges received honorable mention.
Cartersville was state champions in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009 -- five times in one decade.
Floyd also gave the Cartersville community a lot of the credit for the team's success, but he listed Chester as a big reason, too.
"He has a big heart, especially for baseball," the Cartersville school principal said.
Then Floyd looked at current members of the Cartersville High baseball team and added: "He has a passion that drives him and I know it is you."
Dr. Howard Hinesley, Cartersville City Schools superintendent, said the program's success is much more than the victories and state championships it has amassed.
Hinesley said Chester has done countless things to make his ball team better people who will be successful in life, starting with year-round study hall for players.
"He involves his players in the community so they understand that everyone doesn't have the same advantages," the school superintendent said.
Hinesley said the ballplayers also reach out into the community to help others who are less fortunate.
"When you put all those things together, then championships will follow," he added.
Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini said the program had been a good reflection on Cartersville because of its emphasis on character.
"Without exception, they have represented us with a level of class we can all be proud of," Santini said.
Stuart Chester, head coach of the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes, talks about the players who helped the baseball team earn the designation as the Georgia Dugout Club’s Team of the Decade.
Luke Daniel, left, and Ben Venters, who were members of the 2009 state champion team, look at memorabilia on display at Cartersville High School on Wednesday as part of a ceremony honoring the baseball team.
